Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 120708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 604(@200wpm)___ 483(@250wpm)___ 402(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 604(@200wpm)___ 483(@250wpm)___ 402(@300wpm)
Something moved across Kaylee’s face, but she simply nodded. “I’ll be downstairs. Freshen up and I’ll see you in a few. Stella has dinner nearly ready.”
Relieved that she let the subject of Tanner go, I relaxed the sudden tension in my shoulders. “Thank you, Kaylee. I’ll be right down.”
Once the door clicked shut, I stood and made my way over to the window. The sun had started to sink in the blue sky, and a brilliant orange and pink color cascaded down over snow-covered mountains. I took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. I couldn’t argue with the fact that I’d fallen in love with Montana, even before I ever visited. The pictures Kaylee sent had captured my heart instantly. I could honestly see myself living here. There was only one problem…and his name was Tanner Shaw. I made a vow to myself right then and there that he wouldn’t be an issue. He simply couldn’t be. This move was about me and my future, and Tanner Shaw was not part of that.
Chapter Six
TIMBERLYNN
When I walked into the kitchen of the Shaw family home, I paused and took in the sight before me. They were all talking at once. Some laughed, some argued with one another. An adorable little laugh came from Morgan somewhere in the room, Blayze was informing Stella he didn’t need help getting something out of the oven, and Ty Senior was standing in the middle of it all, wearing an apron that said, Give me a kiss and you’ll get a cookie.
It was everything I had ever dreamed a family would be like. I couldn’t help but smile as I took in the room. A strange feeling of want hit me right in the middle of the chest. Or maybe it was self-pity that I had never had this sort of experience with my own family. Whatever it was, I wasn’t sure if it made me sad or happy. When Ty Senior moved to the side, I saw why baby Morgan was laughing, and my insides melted on the spot.
Oh, good Lord. This is going to be harder than I thought.
Tanner held Morgan and lifted her up, then dropped her quickly to kiss her on the cheek. She laughed each time, and when she laughed, it made Tanner laugh. The sound of his laughter made me sigh internally. A feeling I really hadn’t felt in a very long time moved over me. It was more of a longing than anything. For a quick moment I wanted to make Tanner laugh like that. I wanted Tanner’s attention.
I was actually jealous of a baby. I shook my head to make the thought go away.
“There’s something very sexy about a man with a baby, isn’t there?”
I jumped at the sound of Lincoln’s voice. A nervous laugh slipped free as I realized I’d been caught staring. “Yes, there is.”
Lincoln gave her a knowing look. “I’m so glad you decided to come and spend Christmas with us, Timberlynn. Kaylee was over the moon when you told her you were coming.”
I was relieved Lincoln had moved on from my obvious gawking of her brother-in-law to another subject. Lincoln adored my cousin Kaylee, and the feeling was mutual. They were the best of friends and reminded me a lot of myself and Candace. “Well, when she invited me, I knew I had to come. I miss seeing her, and getting a chance to visit the area longer will be a good thing.”
Lincoln grinned and looked around the kitchen.
“How are you feeling?” I asked, glancing down to her stomach and then back up.
“Wonderful! This time around I don’t have the morning sickness like I did before.”
I raised my brows. “You know what that means, don’t you?”
She laughed. “You sound like Stella. She’s insisting it’s a boy.”
“Smart woman. I’ve heard girls make you sick more, so maybe she’s right.”
Lincoln’s gaze searched the room until they found her husband. Brock was just as handsome as the other two Shaw brothers, with brown hair and blue eyes that seemed to look deep into your soul. He had been a professional bull rider and had retired recently. Kaylee’s husband, Ty, had also been a professional bull rider, but a car accident ended his career a few years back when he was at the top of his profession. Both of them worked the family ranch now and seemed to be perfectly content with their lives.
“Does Brock have a preference?” I asked.
“No, not at all. He simply wants me and the baby to be happy and healthy.”
Kaylee had told me a little bit about Brock’s first wife. She had died only moments after giving birth to their son, Blayze, so it was not surprising that he’d be worried about Lincoln.
“Is Blayze excited to be a big brother again?” I asked.